For baseball coaches and twin brothers Will and Wes McCrotty, it has proven to be a great thing.

The brothers found success in baseball at a young age, and when Will accepted the coaching job last year in Dardanelle, a natural born rivalry between his players and his brother’s team in Pottsville came into play.

“Our teams play each other, but we’re not in the same conference,” Will said. “Our players do take the match-up seriously. We are looking forward to playing Pottsville in April.”

In December, both brothers read “Lone Survivor,” a novel depicting the story of Operation Red Wing and the story of former Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell’s survival.

“My brother gave me the book after he finished it,” Will said. “It’s a story that really stays with you. We both began researching Luttrell, and we both wanted to find a way to get involved in Luttrell’s organization, the Lone Survivor’s Foundation.”

Luttrell established the Lone Survivor’s Foundation in 2010 to restore, empower and offer hope for wounded soldiers and their families.

Luttrell was the sole survivor of a four-man Navy Seal mission in 2005, in which three of his team members and 16 rescue personnel perished.

The novel graphically details the mission, its initial success and the loss of 19 soldiers.

During their research, the McCrotty brothers found a partner organization The Boot Campaign, a grassroots initiative started by five women from Texas, which provides a tangible way for anyone to show support for U.S. troops.

The organization sells a variety of military boots on its website and 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to partner charities assisting returning veterans dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical injuries.

“It just came to us,” Will said. “We could play a baseball game wearing the boots. We would have the opportunity to raise awareness for our troops and raise money at the same time. It was the perfect win-win.”

The brothers contacted The Boot Campaign to plan a charity baseball game, and for the past several months both baseball teams have been selling the boots to members of their communities.

Their goal is to sale 200 pairs of boots or raise $20,000.

“We decided to aim high,” Will said. “We’ll be happy with whatever amount we raise. The players have worked hard selling the boots in the community, and I know they feel proud to be making a difference.”

Several players have family members serving in the military that gives wearing the boots and playing the game an additional meaning.

"It gives me a sense of pride knowing we are doing something for our brave military men and women,” Dardanelle senior Jard Hull said. “I have a brother in the military, and I look up to him for the sacrifices he makes to keep our amazing country safe."

"Its important to me because I have family members and friends that are, or have served in the military,” said Dardanelle senior Landon Whorton. “It is a way we can show our support and respect for the military for all their sacrifices for our country."

The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 7 at Pottsville. Entry to the game is free and donations to the charity will be accepted.

The opening pitch will be thrown by Kat Reed, sister of fallen soldier Jerry Reed II.

“It really means a lot to us that Ms. Reed is supporting the game,” Will said. “She actually broke her arm this week, but she wanted to be a part of the game, so she said she could throw left handed. She understands why we’re doing this, and our teams are honored to have her be a part of the event.”

Jason Campbell, a member of the band Single Tree, will sing the National Anthem and provide acoustic entertainment after the game at a special dinner honoring local veterans.

Wes said the lessons he and his team have learned from reading the book and partnering with The Boot Campaign will last a lifetime.

“There are many lessons to be learned from Marcus Luttrell and his Navy Seal team,” Wes said. “Our boys have a new appreciation for teamwork, friendship, perseverance and never giving up.”

The players aren’t the only ones affected by Luttrell’s story and the Get Your Boots On game.

“The Boot Campaign has helped me to understand the need for increased awareness for our active-duty and veterans of our military,” Wes said. “It has opened my eyes to the dedication and patriotic duty of these men and women. Our military sacrifice their time, family and lives to keep us safe.”

PULLOUT

Get Your Boots On Game

1 p.m. April 7 at Pottsville field

Purchase boots or donate online

www.bootcampaign.com

For more information, email Will at will.mccrotty@dardanelle.k12.ar.us.